Astro Burger (7475 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-874-8041),popular for its fries, shakes and 50s feel, and best of all, its veggie and turkey burgers stack up well against the beefy originals. $

Barneys Beanery (8447 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-654-2287) has a roadhouse feel that takes you back to the days when the Doors and Van Halen roamed the Strip. Its bodacious selection of beers and world-famous chili is second to none. $$

Basix Cafe (8333 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-2460) is best for breakfast, but the grilled pizzas and chicken are cant-miss picks for lunch or dinner. Even better is the strategically placed patio, so you can see and, most importantly, be seen. $$

Benitos (7912 Beverly Blvd.; 323-938-7427), open 24 hours and always jumpin, serves the quickest burrito in town. We call it heaven sent after a night of clubbing. $

Bristol Farms (7880 Sunset Blvd.; 323-874-6301), the place to go if fresh herbs, flower bouquets and a tempting pinot noir are on your list. Then pick up a fresh salad or sandwich at the deli. $$

Café Med (8615 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-0445) serves a Southern Italian/Mediterranean hybrid of pizzas, salads and pastas, and is a wonderful place to watch the "in" crowd passing by on the plaza. $$$

Cajun Bistro (8301 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-6388) is a good choice for a quick lunch on the enclosed patio or inside the dining room. Order half a "beer can" chicken or the house specialty: of course, jambalaya. $$

Carls Jr. (1111 La Brea Ave.; 323-851-3199) invites you to stop in around 2 a.m. after a night of clubbing, grab a seat by the window, enjoy a delicious burger, and take in the local color. $

The Cash Cow Cafe (8301 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-822-0671) is high on our list of favorites because of its reasonable prices and helpful, happy servers. Grab a juicy turkey burger or angel-hair pasta with fresh tomato and basil. And remember  cash only. $$

Cynthias (8370 W. Third St.; 323-658-7851) truly delights on an avenue of attitude, serving contemporary American comfort food like fried chicken and dumplings and meat-loaf dinner. Just remodeled; now with full bar. $$

Cyrano (8840 Beverly Blvd.; 310-271-4193) serves one of the best filets in town by day and a schmoozing scenesters dreamland by night. $$$

Dan Tanas (9071 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-275-9444),a celebrity watchers paradise, is the home of L.A.s, best steak, and the houses traditional Italian fare is outstanding as well. $$$$

Diaghilev (1020 N. San Vicente Blvd.; 310-854-1111) has been described as "the best ethnic restaurant in all of California," with palate-pleasing Russian/French specialties like salmon filet wrapped in sturgeon mousse and flaky filo. $$$$

Eat Well (8252 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-656-1383) asks that you bring a hearty appetite and order homemade chicken fried chicken, pot roast or one of its huge salads. $

Fatburger (7450 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-436-0862) cooks up one of those real sloppy sorts, a wheat bun stacked high with ground turkey and stuff that drips down your arms and gets all over your face. $

Gardens of Taxco (1113 N. Harper Ave.; 323-654-1746) is home of not only the oral menu but also Ramon, the colorful waiter, and both are reasons enough to hit this spot and enjoy one of 14 home-style specials, prepared and served as if you were "a guest at a home in Mexico City." $$

Gelsons (8330 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-656-5580) markets and delis have a dedicated following because of impeccable service. The people here excel at what they do, and its kept them number one for over 35 years. $$

Genghis Cohen (740 N. Fairfax Ave.; 323-653-0640) hosts singers and live music every night, and cooks up some of the best eclectic Chinese vittles in town. Specials include garlic catfish, candied shrimp and "scallops on fire." $$

Gigi Brasserie (8555 Beverly Blvd.; 310-278-5444) is the Hotel Sofitels on-premises brasserie and is open to the public. Try a flaky croissant, an oven-fresh baguette, a dainty salad or soup. $$

Greenblatts (8017 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-0606) is legendary for its deli sandwiches and wine shop, but its also noted for late-night star-spotting. We once saw Iggy Pop and David Bowie gnawing on chicken legs here. You should be so lucky. $$

Hamburger Hamlet Bar & Grill (9201 Sunset Blvd.; 310-278-4924) has been lionized for its originals like the bleu-cheese burger and standards like the half-pound burger with the works.$$

House of Blues (8430 Sunset Blvd.; 323-848-5100) the home of some of L.A.s hottest acts, not to mention some of the most savory ä Southern-inspired chow west of the Mississippi. Dont miss the Gospel Brunch every Sunday. $$

Hoys Wok (8163 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-656-9002) can make any lunch or dinner sans oil or salt. For a quick bite, try the spicy chicken wings and hot-and-sour soup. $

Jerrys Famous Deli (8701 Beverly Blvd.; 310-289-1811) boasts the hustle-and-bustle feel of a New York deli, and serves potato pancakes, knishes, and sandwiches packed so high its a workout getting a bite out of em. $$

Jones (7201 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-850-1726) has been endearingly described as "sneering with attitude," and serves delicious food to stars who come for the TLC. $$

Joss (9255 Sunset Blvd.; 310-276-1886) will delight the palate with the likes of Chinese long beans in black-bean sauce, or lobster Cantonese. Joss has been dubbed "the best dim sum restaurant in West L.A." $$$

La Brasserie (1020 N. San Vicente Blvd.; 310-854-1111, Ext. 376)hosts some of L.A.s best live jazz, and the chefs here can work the crowd too with nightly specials like grilled balsamic glazed pork chop with creamy Parmesan potatoes. $$$

Le Dome (8720 Sunset Blvd.; 310-659-6919), after 22 years in the same locale, is a certified Tinsel Town institution. Who can guess what celebs youll catch munching homemade brioche or swigging back oysters at the dome-shaped bar. $$$$

LOrangerie (903 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-652-9770) has its foie gras and seafood flown in fresh from France, hence, it is one of L.A.s finest and most exclusive French restaurants. $$$$

Los Tacos (1043 N. La Brea Ave.; 323-850-9346) can be a very strategic stop to pick up lunch, if youve got a dirty car. Here you can eat and get your car washed. $ ä

Marix (1108 N. Flores St.; 323-656-8800) is a jumpin weekend spot that serves great Tex-Mex fare, and the shady deck and patio make it one warm-weather hot spot not to be missed. $$

Mels Drive-In (8585 Sunset Blvd.; 310-854-7200) moved in at this locale when Ben Franks closed its doors, but it lives up to the legend, with its burgers, chili fries and malts. $$

Mortons (8764 Melrose Ave.; 310-276-5205) is rumored to be the place where the deals for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and other cinema blockbusters were finalized. Nabobs still enjoy their power lunches here over martinis and lime chicken. $$$

Norms (470 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 323-655-0167) always serves the best breakfasts in town, and you wont find a more eclectic group of patrons anywhere. $

North (8029 Sunset Blvd.; 323-654-1313) is one of those places frequented by music-industry folk who carouse over the "Nite Club"  a grilled chicken-breast sandwich with bacon, arugula and spicy aioli sauce. $$

Noura Cafe (8479 Melrose Ave.; 323-651-4581) is reasonable, romantic and fun, a favorite for years in WeHo, with wonderful baba ghanoush and tabbouleh. $$

Odessa Market (7781 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-9999) is owned and run by Russian immigrants who, it seems, pickle anything in sight. Ethnic treasure troves like this are springing up all over WeHos eastside. $

The Oki Dog (860 N. Fairfax Ave.; 323-655-4166) serves a pastrami burrito once described as a "foil-wrapped grease bomb the size and weight of a building brick" (per L.A. Weekly food critic Jonathan Gold). Fortunately, some things never change. $

Panda Express (8969 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-273-0977) is the perfect place to pick up a quick rice bowl or some sweet-and-spicy orange chicken. $

Panini (8849 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-4726) serves up single pizza slices with exotic toppings in a jiffy. Pick up some spaghetti, a salad or a quick cup of coffee, too. $

Philly Steak Depot (8871 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-289-8633) has an aroma wafting out of its storefront that can turn any upstanding citizen into a Philly steak fiend. The hoagies are tasty too. $

Rainbow Bar & Grill (9012 Sunset Blvd.; 310-278-4232) is in close proximity to the Whisky and the Viper Room, and has always been a favorite haunt for L.A. rockers. With over 70 items, the menu could please all of em. $$

Red Rock (8782 Sunset Blvd.; 310-854-0710) is the double-decker bar and grille, where the black-clad masses rub elbows. It is also the place to find one of L.A.s premier plates of bangers and mash. $$

The Replay Café (8607 Melrose Ave.; 310-854-5818) isworth going to just to hang out on the old-fashioned wood porch. Order the Replays herb-marinated chicken breast, or a Rib Eye. $$

Surf City Squeeze (8594 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-652-7440), located in West Hollywoods most popular gym, is open to the public, so you can detoxify and mingle with the cuties over wheat-grass shots and smoothies. $

Tacos Tacos (8948 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-657-4832) will give you a great view of the boulevard while munching on tacos served flat on delicate corn tortillas. $

Talesai (9043 Sunset Blvd.; 310-275-9724) has been hailed as "one of the top 40 restaurants in the area." It creates Thai dishes that are gorgeous and delicious, featuring tiger prawns in garlic sauce and duck salad. $$

Tandoori Nights (8165 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-8626) serves a varied selection of dishes for those vegetarians among us. Indulge yourself with any one of its famous biryanis. $

Tasty Kabob (8424 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-7797) offers all the garlic-infused, vinegary and charbroiled goodies youd expect with a name like that, served with a smile and at a great price. $

T.N.T. Greek (8828 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-8051) is a good stop after trekking the Strip. Kick back and enjoy traditional Greek salads with calamata olives and goat cheese, or kabobs of all varieties. $

Trocadero (8280 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-7161), although not the original, here nostalgia hangs in the air (and on the walls). Dine on potato-wrapped prawns or grilled swordfish. $$$ ä

Urth Caffé (8565 Melrose Ave.; 310-659-0628) invites you to stop in after yoga and unwind with a pot of imported Japanese green tea. $

Wolfgang Puck Café (8000 Sunset Blvd.; 323-650-7300).Pucks other place is more casual than Spago, but it still serves those same designer pizzas that made him famous, such as smoked salmon, portobello mushroom or spicy shrimp. $$

Yabu (521 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-854-0400) specializes in soba noodles served in a myriad of combinations like shrimp and vegetable tempura or Japanese yam and poached egg. $$

Yukon Mining Company (7328 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-851-8833) is where eight out of 10 patrons swear its the best place for a ham-and-cheese omelet at 3 a.m. $